Amsterdam Historical Museums

See the house where Rembrandt lived or visit the beautiful Royal Palace. At the National Maritime Museum you will discover how the Dutch culture has been shaped by the sea or learn more about the history of Amsterdam’s canal ring at Het Grachtenhuis (the Canal House). Most popular and famous of all historical museums in Amsterdam is of course the Anne Frank House, the former hiding place, where Anne Frank wrote her diary during World War II.
Our recommendations for Historical Museums in Amsterdam are:

The former hiding place, where Anne Frank wrote her diary during World War II, is now a well-known museum. The museum tells the history of the eight people in hiding and those who helped them during the war. Anne Frank's diary is among the original objects on display. The Anne Frank House Museum is one of the most popular museums in Amsterdam.

There are no guided tours but at the entrance you will find free guidebooks, available in 12 languages. In some rooms are TV's showing short films in Dutch with subtitles.

The Verzetsmuseum (Dutch Resistance Museum) tells the story of the Dutch people in World War II. How did Dutch people respond to the Nazi occupation? How did they respond to the increasing oppression of this occupying power? Who took up resistance? Why, and in what ways? The choices and dilemmas facing the population became more far-reaching.

You’ll see, hear en read fascinating stories about the exceptional, as well as about everyday life. Streets and walls full of photos make up the décor of the museum.

The Jewish Historical Museum houses in a complex of four former Ashkenazi synagogues. Religion, culture and history of the Jews in the Netherlands and its former colonies are the main focus of the museum's collection and the Resource Centre. The museum has over 14,000 works of art, ceremonial items and historical objects. Only five percent of these are on permanent display.

The museum's focus on art encompasses both work by Dutch Jewish artists and depictions by non-Jewish artists of Jewish themes.

In the heart of the Amsterdam canal district lies this magnificent private residence built in 1672. The first resident was painter Ferdinand Bol, a pupil of Rembrandt. The interior of the house has remained largely intact and still evokes the splendour of the Golden Age. An elaborate staircase leads to elegant bedrooms, a large collection of paintings, fine furniture, precious silvery and porcelain from different centuries are on display.

Behind the house is a coach house and a beautiful garden, an oasis of quiet.

Museum Willet-Holthuysen is located in a 19th century canal house and houses the extraordinary art collection of Abraham Willet (1825-1888). He was already an active collector at a young age, far before his marriage with the wealthy Louisa Holthuysen in 1861. The collection includes ceramics, glassware, silver, furniture, trinkets, paintings, photographs and more.

The museum has a garden laid out according to the early 18th-century fashion. The garden is open all year around during opening hours.

The house where Rembrandt lived between 1639 and 1658 is now a museum. In the same year he bought the house, he was awarded the prestigious commission to paint the Night Watch. In this house, where his son Titus was born and his wife Saskia died at a young age, many of his famous masterpieces were made.

An art historical tour is possible on request. A professional guide will take you through the rooms of Rembrandt's 17th-century home and studio. The museum is located near the famous Waterlooplein.

Do you miss a historical museum that you think deserves a spot in Amsterdam Travel Guide's museum section? Send us the name of the museum - together with your motivation why we should include the museum on Amsterdam Travel Guide - via our contact form.